Roller Dolls in home game action for first time since shock venue closure

Lindsay Pantry

Leeds Roller Dolls will tomorrow skate out for their first home game since the shock loss of their training and game venue a month ago.

The double header, which is being played in Huddersfield due to lack of available halls in the city, will see the Dolls’ B team the Whip Its taken on the Central City Rollergirls’ B team from Birmingham, and the second ever game for the club’s junior side.

The club was “devastated” when they were given just days’ notice of the closure of Morley’s Futsal Arena in June. Since then, they have been testing out various halls in the city but are yet to secure a permanent venue.

It is the first game of the season for the Whip Its, who have got two new players on their roster, including Rachel Evans.

She said: “I’ve been with LRD since 2014 starting out in their rec league and have felt supported as I’ve progressed in the league. It’ll be great to put into practice on track the drills we’ve practiced in training.”

Whip Its co-captain Heather McCarten: “We’ve had a really tough time recently with the loss of our venue, it’s had a real impact on our time training together. However we are optimistic and with two new players joining us we’re feeling strong. CCR are a terrific team, they will be fun to play and we can’t wait to get back on track.”